The Phillies’ edge for 2018

Pitching tandems:

In 2012, the Colorado Rockies introduced the “piggyback” rotation, which was due to the thin air in Colorado. Translation: four starters with a 75-pitch limit and four relievers with 50 bullets were taking the mound every four days. Twice it failed!

Four summers ago, the Houston Astros tried their arm-protecting version for their youngsters. But one big difference was using it in Double-A and Triple-A to prepare their moundsmen for the majors. Gone like Charlie Finley’s orange baseballs.

Employing a six-man rotation has appeared here and there, and the Phils auditioned another starter that way in September. Shortly, one club with injury-prone pitchers will have an additional hurler every sixth day for an entire campaign.

As for ’18, the current thinking is the third time through the batting order is problematic for starters with average stuff. It’s hitting time! Yes, when the sixth inning rolls around, the opposition is ready to strike.

"MANAGING EXPECTATIONS: “I want everybody to feel he has a chance to get into a game when he comes to the ballpark. I play guys when I want to so they’ll be ready when I have to. I don’t consider myself a motivator of players. I think it’s an insult to a ballplayer to have to be motivated.” – Gene “Skip”  Mauch"

Due to all the graphs, heat zones, spray charts and analytics, other front offices figure a fresh hurler will stop their competitor in those third at-bats. And even though the Phillies have many control pitchers, they show no signs of heading in that direction. But a couple of teams might!